12.02.2014

Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks on the Ferguson Travesty

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

STAY BLESSED

Hello All:Attorney General Eric Holder
recently released this information in reference to the recent decision
in Ferguson to not indict Darren Wilson for cold blooded murder of an
unarmed teen, Michael Brown, and the violent response on the part of the
residents of Ferguson. I'm posting it here so that you can be apprised of the efforts being made on the Attorney General's and the President's part to ensure that, going forward, there were be a serious reduction in police brutality and unwarranted (and unpunished) police shootings. Of course, the key question on most people's lips is will the Attorney General try this as a civil rights or wrongful death; and will there be an investigation of the members of the Ferguson grand jury?

Following Michael Brown's tragic death, millions of people across the
nation and around the world have focused their attention on unfolding
events in Ferguson, both grieving together and making their voices
heard.In recent days, many have been captivated by ongoing developments,
anguished emotions, peaceful protests -- and, too often, deeply
unfortunate images of unnecessary destruction. And this tragic incident
has sparked a necessary, national conversation about the need to ensure
trust and build strong relationships between law enforcement officials
and the communities they serve.Events in Ferguson have revealed a deep distrust between a community
and its police force. But this reality is not limited to one location.
Other communities around this country know this struggle all too well.
And it's abundantly clear that every single one of us has a role to play
in tackling this problem together, as a nation -- to identify those
things that bind us, and to be honest with one another about the things
that continue to divide us.In August, President Obama ordered a review of federal funding and
programs that provide equipment to state and local law enforcement
agencies. Yesterday, the Administration released that review's findings
-- and announced key next steps to strengthen the trust in and
effectiveness of the policing of our communities.Learn more about yesterday's announcements, and the findings of the Administration's review.Here are the next steps we're taking:

Creating a new task force to promote the expansion of 21st century community-oriented policing.

Reforming how the federal government equips local law enforcement, particularly with military-style equipment.

Advancing the use of body-worn cameras and promoting proven community policing initiatives.

I know this has been a difficult time for people in Ferguson, and for
many others across the country. It will take time for things to get
better. But as I assured Ferguson residents during my visit there, in
August, the Obama administration is firmly committed to making the
progress we need -- and that all of our citizens deserve.The changes that the President announced yesterday are exactly the
sorts of programmatic steps that will bring the right people together to
engage in a constructive, national conversation -- so we can build
trust, address persistent concerns, and protect public safety while
respecting the rights of every American.Last Tuesday, addressing the public, the President said, "[to] those
who are prepared to work constructively, your President will work with
you." I am committed to answering the President's call to see this
through -- as are the men and women of the United States Department of
Justice.Learn
more about yesterday's announcements here -- and spread the word to
anyone who wants to know how we're moving forward as a nation.Thank you,Eric H. Holder, Jr.

Building Trust Between Communities and Local Police

Recent events in Ferguson, Missouri and around the country have
grabbed the attention of the nation and the world, and have highlighted
the importance of strong, collaborative relationships between local
police and the communities that they protect.Today, the Administration announced new steps we’re
taking to strengthen the relationships between law enforcement agencies
and the communities they are obligated to protect and serve, including:

Advancing the use of body worn cameras and promoting proven community policing initiatives

Creating a new task force to promote expansion of the
community-oriented policing model, which encourages strong relationships
between law enforcement and the communities that they serve as a proven
method of fighting crime

Reforming how the federal government equips state and local law enforcement – particularly with military-style equipment

Get more details about these new actions below.

Increasing the use of body worn cameras, and improving community policing

The President has proposed a three-year, $263 million investment package that will:

Increase police officers’ use of body worn cameras

Expand training for law enforcement agencies (LEAs)

Add more resources for police department reform

Multiply the number of cities where the Department of Justice facilitates community and local LEA engagement

Part of the proposal is a new Body Worn Camera Partnership Program,
which would provide a 50 percent match to states and localities that
purchase body worn cameras and requisite storage. In fact, the proposed
$75 million, three-year investment could help purchase 50,000 body worn
cameras.As noted in a recent report
released by Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the Police
Executive Research Forum (PERF), evidence shows that body worn cameras
help strengthen accountability and transparency, and that officers and
civilians both act in a more positive manner when they're aware that a
camera is present.

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meet with
elected officials, community and faith leaders, and law enforcement
officials to discuss how communities and law enforcement can work
together to build trust to strengthen neighborhoods across the country.
(Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Building public trust while keeping crime rates down

The President is planning to create a Task Force on 21st Century Policing, chaired by Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, who also serves as President of the Major Cities Chiefs Police Association; and Laurie Robinson, professor at George Mason University and former Assistant Attorney General for DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs.The task force – which will include law enforcement representatives
and community leaders, among others – has a threefold purpose:

Build on the extensive research that’s being conducted by DOJ’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)

Examine how to promote effective crime reduction while building public trust

Prepare a report and recommendations within 90 days of the task force’s creation

Reforming how the federal government equips local law enforcement

In August, the President ordered a review of federal funding and
programs that help equip state and local law enforcement agencies
(LEAs). Over the course of the review, the White House explored whether
existing federal programs:

Provide LEAs with equipment that is appropriate for what their communities need

Ensure that LEAs have adequate policies in place for use of the
equipment, and that their personnel are trained and certified on how to
use this equipment

Encourage LEAs to employ practices and standards that prevent misuse or abuse of this equipment

The final report, released
today, finds inconsistencies in how these federal programs are
structured, implemented, and audited. The report also identifies four
areas of further focus that could help ensure that these programs help
maximize the safety and security of both police officers and their
communities:

Local community engagement

Federal coordination and oversight

Training requirements

The community-policing model

In light of this review, President Obama is planning to issue an
Executive Order directing relevant agencies to work together and with
law enforcement and civil rights and civil liberties organizations to
develop specific recommendations within four months.Learn more: